Amazing park i never knew existed! Very beautiful and peaceful. There is an amazing almost 10mile hike with campgrounds that definitely warrent a camp trip. Also, shorter trails up on top where the views are most excellent! We plan to come back for sure, but we were just driving through. Even if you only have an hour or so to spare, there is a very scenic drive you can take to the top that's well worth the visit. Also, the NP agent inside was super nice and informative. Great park!

After a fiasco at saguaro national Park due to government shutdown I found redemption at chirocahua. Amazing rock formations due to eruption and water and ice whethering. Completely possible to drive/hike instead hike hike 😄. Only some indoor sites like the ranch were affected by the shutdown. Camp ground seem to be open as well. All around a great find.

Very beautiful location such a neat ecosystem after coming from Tucson. Very windy when we were there but lots of hiking trails and vistas to explore. We loved the grottos with our little ones, great rocks to climb.

A very special place. Campsites and facilities well maintained and inviting. Park staff very knowledgeable and helpful. As good as any national park. The less popular trails are 100% worth doing. Hike everywhere you can you won't regret any of them. Bring about $100 for the giftshop, its got some cool stuff and the prickly pear gummy bears are 10/10.

Off the beaten path, but well worth the trip. This was an amazing park! The grottoes were worth the hike! Hardly any people on the trail. This is a hidden gem!!

Pictures do not do justice. Gorgeous. Definitely worth a visit even if it's a bit out of the way from the more famous / popular parks in AZ

Arrived just after the visitors center closed, but grabbed a map (accessible just outside the center) and got to the top of massai point. There’s a small building there that shares history/general information plus great 360 views. The echo canyon loop has incredible views before sunset.

This mine tour was so much fun! They give you a hard hat, vest, and a light. The train ride is really cool too! Our guide definitely knew what he was talking about and answered our groups questions. The cave we toured through is wide open. As someone with claustrophobia, I felt safe and comfortable. I would definitely recommend!

What a unique experience! The Queen Mine Tour was the highlight of our trip to Bisbee. Our guide, Neil shared real-life stories from his time working in the mine, and you could feel his passion for the history and the company (Phelps Dodge Corporation). The tour was well organized, informative, and fun. A must-do if you’re visiting Bisbee!

The queen Mine Tour was really enjoyable! It was pretty accessible to most parties, and the employees were very accommodating if anyone had any difficulties with the space of the mines. The tour itself was very informative if you're interested in the mining process and the history of the town. The visitor center has lots of gift/ souvenir options. It is within walking distance of the town. I drove an electric vehicle and was able to charge it at one of the Chargepoints in town while I enjoyed sightseeing and this tour.

Absolute must do in Bisbee!!! When you arrive you’ll get outfitted with a hard hat, light, and safety vest. Then you’ll board the cart deal that takes you into the mine. You straddle the seat like a motorcycle. Joey, our tour guide was fantastic. He was funny, knowledgeable, and made the tour fun and semi interactive, while making sure everyone felt safe. We had a smaller group so it was like a private tour. We went 1500 feet underground and learned the entire history of the mine. We even got to see the illusive light show (not typically offered). Awesome experience for all ages.

Loved the tour and the gift shop! All staff that we encountered were friendly. The tour was so informative! The mine is in great shape. Will live to take others through in the future.

We had an amazing time on the mine tour. Our tour guide was excellent—funny, friendly, and very knowledgeable. It’s an experience where you not only learn about the history of the mines but also feel truly connected to the past. We enjoyed every moment and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes so you can enjoy the tour even more. A wonderful experience!

This place is awesome. The people are always safety conscious and helpful to guests. We really enjoyed our visit and tour. We really learned alot.

We had a really good time at the OK Corral. The gunfight reenactment was so much better than I had expected. The museum collection was impressive. I wish we had spent a little more time there. So much to see.

So much fun! The gun fight was Awesome. Perfect for a family day. There are three shows a day retelling the gun fight at O.K. Corral. There is also a mini museum of the history of Tombstone's hayday 😉

The show was worth the price of entry ($10 pp over 5). Very comical but the history lesson behind it was very interesting as well. My children 10, 8, & 5 all stayed entertained the whole 30 min. Gun shots are loud in the "arena"

We had such a great time at the show. It was funny, the acting was amazing, and it kept us entertained from beginning to end. After the show we went on a tour and learned so much about the history of Tombstone. The guide made everything easy to understand and very interesting. It is a fun and educational experience for all ages. We truly enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Tombstone.

Very entertaining with comic relief. Guns shoot blanks and can be scary to small children (like 2 and under for sure). Lots of fun places before you enter for kids to climb and play. Lots of photo opportunities.

Very fun place, with a great history lesson, and the gunfight reenactment was entertaining to watch. The walk through museum outside was informative and interesting. Definitely worth the price of the ticket!

There us more history than just the gun fight at the OK coral on Oct 26, 1881. It's all great and you feel like you can almost touch it.

We found our visit to Boothill Graveyard to be very interesting. Fortunately the graves were covered with rocks to prevent animals from digging. This also made locating them easy. Many of the tombstones have been restored and a few have pretty humorous messages.

Boothill Graveyard – Tombstone, AZ Just outside of Tombstone, Boothill Graveyard brings you face-to-face with the real people who shaped the Wild West. Standing only feet from their resting places makes the history feel tangible, yet it’s less macabre than you might expect—especially if you’ve studied the history or enjoyed the classic Western films. I recommend saving this stop for the end of your Tombstone visit. It provides a sense of closure, showing not only how the legends lived but also how their stories ended. As a bonus, the grounds are dotted with beautiful examples of Sonoran Desert cacti, making it a rewarding visit for history lovers and plant enthusiasts alike.

This was my husband's and my favorite stop in Tombstone. We were greeted by a friendly man who was running the gift shop. He kindly showed us a map of the town and alerted us to areas not to be missed. The woman selling the tickets into the cemetary was very informative. She spoke animatedly about those who are laid to rest there. We enjoyed our walk through the graveyard. I was particularly moved by the Jewish memorial. This graveyard illuminates the lives of people who were brave or crazy enough to settle the west.

A Fascinating Step Back in Time We visited Tombstone and had such a great time learning about the history of the town. After hearing the stories and seeing the sights, we were inspired to visit the Boothill Graveyard to see where many of the town’s famous figures are buried. It really brings the Old West to life. It was a unique and memorable visit—definitely worth it if you’re into history or just want to experience something different and authentic. Tombstone has a charm all its own!

$6 to enter and dogs are allowed. They give you a pamphlet to tour the graves that tells you what happened to most and there were so many violent deaths. Very peaceful resting place. There is a gift shop with clean restrooms.

The cemetery itself is 100% a place to stop and see. The pamphlet with information on those laid to rest here is very interesting and really shows how brutal life in the 1880s could be. However before coming, probably call and check their hours are correct. We were all but locked into the graveyard at what we thought was an hour early of closing (it was 5pm). When we rushed back to the building upon realizing it the lady closing the store was a bit harsh. The store was shut down lights off doors locked. She said they were at their winter hours. Which were not posted anywhere, and no one said anything to us when we got our tickets to enter. The lady’s response was to “go online to wherever it’s wrong tell them” so I guess here I am posting to beware of hours and let you know they will lock you in. Posting a photo with the hours for today, still showing they are open til 6, they are not! Worth the stop but super bummed we didn’t get our souvenir as we collect one everywhere we go.

As a longtime fan of Western films and history, visiting Boothill Graveyard was such a unique and interesting experience. Walking among the old tombstones, reading the epitaphs, and soaking in the rich history of Tombstone felt like stepping back in time. It’s a must-visit for anyone who loves the Old West and wants to see a piece of real frontier history!

Site 44 (ours) was very unlevel/ 6” leveling ramps still was not enough! Website should apply this info on each space; take the time to do so! We left early because of this and no refunds! Website gives no idea if level or need super high lifters; awful! I have vertigo so it was not fun. Unless you personally go to rv park and chk each one, you may get one like ours that is more than 6” off! Be prepared. Campsite is clean, shower water is hot but hubby says in mens bathroom toilet paper rolls are in a “ weird place so legs are catiwompass while sitting”…. Odd they would do that. $50 a night tho makes it hard to wanna go back. Nice views of mountains and they have a loop for hiking so that is nice. The unleveled lots make this hard to come back to not knowing if you choose online a decent spot… in pics they all look level. Beware! No one expects more than 6 inches!!!!! Also do not drink the water or use for cooking. Had brown , gray water with sediment come out. Use bottled water for cooking or drinking or coffee!

One of, if not the best State Park in the system. The cave tours are excellent. The campground is top notch with well spaced sights. The surrounding area is rich in historical sites, and the Sonoita opportunities for food (The Copper Brothelbrew pub), wine, and distilleries is a great adult day trip. And, the incredible Empire Ranch is also near Sonoita. Wildlife opportunities are abundant both summer and winter. We really enjoy White Water Draw in the winter to see 10's of thousands of Sandhill Cranes. So, its just not the cave and campgrounds - there is a vast area to explore.

Great experience on our cave tour today! Our guide Rich was knowledgeable and funny! It was great to learn about the history and geology of the cave system. We’re planning a trip back when we can visit the Great Room (closed this time of year for the bats). Also enjoyed a short walk on one of the trails. Beautiful area!

This is a nice park, plenty of hiking trails, not far from tombstone and Sierra vista. Cave is cool but not much else to do except hang out . Spots are big and lots of privacy so you can let it all hang out if you like, after dark gets interesting careful where you look you might get an eye full, just because Rv windows are tinted real dark doesn’t mean you can’t see through them at night especially if your inside lights are on. So bring your cards or Yahtzee or board games. Leave your inhibitions at home. No judgement here.

Great tour, good location. Cafe not so good. The tour was excellent and very informative. No photos allowed unfortunately. Some outside shots.

One of the best state parks to enjoy a few days camping, have stayed in #16, #1 and last weekend #4. Always a five star experience and with hosts like Paul and Melinda all was perfect, but here is my very unfortunate con. Having enjoyed the cave tours, either one is great, this time our 230pm tour included a very unruly child that was much to young and much to spoiled. Could barely hear the information given by Brody our guide and constantly ran back and forth on the stops we were supposed to be enjoying. I do believe this child has never heard the word no. No negative reflections towards staff at all and we will continue to return to this campground and complete more tours

The caverns are stunning and a must see! Amazing creation by God! I'm from OR and have been through the Oregon caves many times and the explored the lava beds in CA, so I'm used to the caves being very cold, so I came all bundled up and with my heavy coat and the ranger told us when we bought our tickets that it would be hot and humid inside! I was shocked 😳. After we were done with the cavern tour, we went on one of the trail loop hikes. It made it a great day!

The tour guide was great. Corny jokes but he warned you ahead of time. They're invested in educating people of the damage that we can do to nature in caves as well as the rich history of the cave. The cave itself is impressive although you only get to see ~ half mile, the caves network is a known 37 miles. Awesome place to visit if you're in the area as the surrounding park is also great.

I booked the ladder tour at CCMP, and had an extraordinary experience! Our guide, Arik, was not only knowledgeable about the cave system, its histories, and its navigation, but was charming and hilarious as well. It takes a special set of skills to combine an educational activity with jokes and banter, and our time with our group in the cave system absolutely flew by. The tour itself was not overly physically demanding but still felt as if you accomplished something unique by the end. If you were debating between the ladder tour and the standard tour, I would wholeheartedly tell you to book the ladder tour. You get to do some minor climbing, you spend some time in true darkness, and you get a lot more value for the extra time spent in the caves. The entire staff were professional but passionate- you can tell everyone who works there care about the land they’re showing to the public. At no point did I feel unsafe or worried about their standards, and from start to finish felt like they truly wanted our entire group to have a wonderful time. After the tour I had a soft serve prickly pear ice cream at their cafe which was adjacent to their impressive gift shop and it might be the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life. 10/10. If you’re visiting the Tucson area I cannot recommend this park and tour enough.

What a great experience! The staff at Colossal Cave Mountain Park were all incredibly friendly and helpful. I especially want to thank our tour guide, David. He did an amazing job sharing the history of the cave in a way that was both fun and educational. His passion and humor really made the tour memorable. We'll definitely be back!

Hands down, BEST experience at Colossal Cave Mountain Park today on the Ladder Tour. Our tour guide was Arik and he did an amazing job! He was super informative and told us so many fun facts about the cave and surrounding area. While the tour can be tight in some spots, I would HIGHLY recommend it! You get to explore parts of the cave not on the standard tour as well as experience complete darkness. It’s a great experience!

Adam was our tour guide and our family had a great time! We only wish we had visited sooner! Easy 50 minute tour with lots of neat tidbits, and the cave is cool (literally). We didn’t do anything else as we live right next door, but I’d recommend it to anyone stopping by.

Ladder tour is worth it! We did ladder tour with Arik, he was brilliant and the tour was brilliant, some tight squeezes but I’m a big guy and fitted through without getting stuck. I would definitely recommend the ladder tour over the normal tour any day was so different and fun.

Beautiful drive out there. It's a dry cave system. Temp is always 71 w no humidity. They have different difficulty tours. We took the basic. Guides are really good.

The views were spectacular at the top! The scenic drive up is amazing as well. Truly enjoyed visiting Mt Lemmon.

Absolutely stunning views. The entire drive was so so amazing 👏 I'm so happy I got to be the passenger for this breathtaking trip. Going through the mountain road was intense and wonderful. The experience was something I will never ever forget! The drive was absolutely worth the time and the trip up the mountain. The higher we went, the more exciting it got. The little towns along the way are so spectacular and the vista pull offs are just fabulous!!! Everyone is so nice that I met along the way and I just can't get over how awesome the whole trip was it was a delicious dessert for my eyes and I want more so I will definitely be going back for that trip again very soon.

Easy Drive from Tucson. The air is fresh the scenery better then a movie. Thank you Jesus moments. Take the drive stop at the turn offs and stretch. Deep Breaths 💫

One of the most beautiful places to hike ! Summerhaven is the so much fun to shop and eat . Highly recommend.

Amazing amazing amazing amazing. Do not rob yourself by not going to Mt. Lemmon if you are anywhere near the area. Do yourself a favor and download the Mount Lemmon app from the University of Arizona that uses great local music and education to guide you step-by-step on the drive up the mountain to make sure you don’t miss any of the amazing highlights!

It was such a nice drive. We went early in the morning so at summerĥaven nothing was open. But it was still worth the drive

Beautiful drive up and back out of Tucson. Stop at the Sawmill Grill in Summerhaven for lunch and then drive to the peak if the gate is open.

Beautiful place with lots of access to the desert landscape. Nice trails with water features when there is some to be had. These pictures are from above at the thimble peak looking back at Sabino Canyon below, Bear canyon and Blacketts Ridge. Three killer hiking areas of Sabino Canyon recreation area.

A very easy stroll through the beautiful Tucson desert! Saguaro as far as the eye can see, and some great wildlife sightings! The side trails take you to some nice little splash pools during the right time of year. I just ran into a family of 10 Coatimundi playing yesterday. Really cool experience.

My husband and I came out here this morning for an early hike before it got too hot. The weather was absolutely perfect for a hike. The entire hike we did was easy (for us). Some people were on the main trail with strollers and kids. We ventured off on some of the side trails to see the water and if we could see any wild life. We did see two deers right off the side of the trail which was so cute. We had a really enjoyable time and definitely want to bring our kids next time we come here.

Such a beautiful visit through the canyon. So much to see from the sagurao to the beautiful bolders and everything in between. Highly recommend taking the tram tour, very informative ❤️🌵🌄

This is a great place to escape the hectic pace of Tucson. It's peaceful and quiet, and I love the scenery. The people are super friendly, you get to see amazing wildlife, and the sunsets offer great, cooler view. There's a lot of trail to hike and run!

Sabino Canyon has a great paved road that gives you two choices. 1. Do the hike on foot where, if your more energetic there's trail's off road or you can just stay on the run way and enjoy the sites which has seating to take your break and enjoy the powerful environment and rest. 2. For a bit of money you can you can tell the youngsters I'll see you at the top when you make it. This recreation area offers more than just hiking and being in shape, check out there web page for more info. My wife and I love the walk! Met and spoke to New friends is a high.

Continues to be the premiere trail hub for three significant trailheads leading into the Santa Catalina mountains. Great place for both casual day walks to 13-15 mile hikes. Take plenty of water and snacks and don't leave your trash behind.

First rate air museum, been to a few this is by far the best I have been too. Going back again for a thorough visit. They really have too many planes to see. Mainly from WWII and forward. Went on tour ride worth the extra price well explained.

This had been on my bucket list for a while, but when they acquired the Philippine Mars, it made it that much more a "need to go"! It is an all day, or two day visit if you are a real plane buff. We were fortunate that the day we visited, (1st day) the 390th Memorial Museum on site, had a special guest. Colonel Richard B. Bushing Ret. It was amazing the get to talk to someone that was such a part of shaping the world in our lifetime. He is 102 and very much still a firecracker. It is amazing to see the variety and volume of aircraft on display. Go early and wear good walking shoes.

This place is amazing. Make sure you give yourself enough time to see everything. Lots of it is outside too, so plan on going in the morning maybe to see the outside stuff. We gave ourselves 3 hours and it was not even close to enough time. Really amazing. We were really impressed and in some cases in awe of what we were seeing. I would recommend this place for anyone even remotely interested in planes or historic aircraft.

Interesting aviation museum covering mostly military aircraft spread over a large area. Summer opening hours are 0900-1500h, but by 1430h the outdoor exhibits are not open to visit. It's not easy to cover every exhibit in one day, and there's a lot of walking to do. A cap and plenty of water are recommended, as it can be brutally hot and there are few places to sit. One hangar contains a beautifully restored B-17G that is well worth the visit, as are several hangars containing well-restored aircraft, mainly from WW2. There is some equipment and other artifacts also on display that make for interesting reading. It's easy to get app-based cabs to and from the museum, and there is a covered waiting area at the entrance.

On a road trip from El Paso up to Page, AZ my son and I wanted to check this place out as we have never been. HOLY COW, what a place!!!! I had no idea that we would spend over 4 hours there, the amount of aircraft and exhibits is truly amazing. AND on top of it, we were lucky enough that a retired Colonel Richard Bushong that flew missions during WW2 through Vietnam was speaking with visitors, telling stories and signing his book. The people too that work at the museum were so informative, just adding to the overall experience.

It has really grown since the last time I was there. Huge variety of aircraft and most buildings are climate controlled. Most of the museum is out doors so bring your sun screen. The new B17 standalone museum with in a museum is open. Tons of staffing with good air conditioning. They will ask you for donations on top of the normal entrance fee but it is optional.

Beautiful displays with informative placards. Well layed out, spacious and clean. A classroom of aviation history with more information than you can take in in a day, but worth any amount of time that you have available. Outdoor static displays are numerous so wear your walking shoes or take the tram. As an aviation buff I can't recommend this more! Well done Pima Air & Space, you knocked it out of the park!

Nice to finally check this place out. I love plants and learning about them so I figured this place would be awesome for a friend date. We did enjoy seeing the plants. We saw a lot of plants I haven’t seen before. We did notice a lot of things were closed off or we couldn’t really see it. There are guided tour options and self guided tours with WiFi and your cell phone. We chose to have the self guided tour as I didn’t want to pay more than the $30 I paid for each ticket. I paid for two with military discount which still was $27/each. With it being an hour away I got there right after opening time around 9:30am. Perfect time to beat the kids who show up during lunch time for school field trips. So it was nice to enjoy it without it being loud and over crowded since a lot of spaces are tight. It was already a little warm in the biosphere as well. So plan for some toasty humid weather in there.

Loved it. What an amazing setup and how much there is to see and experience. We also did the behind the scenes tour of “ the lung” which I highly recommend. How much technologies went into the creation of this habitat that recreates what we take for granted here in our beautiful planet earth! Everyone should go and see to appreciate what we have !

This is mind blowing experience! And I mean it. If you are interested in science, space exploration, self sustaining ecosystems this is the place for you! If only you have a tiny engineering knowledge and a little sense of biology and ecosystems and interactions within them and between them this place will send your imagination to the moon! One of the most important places to visit in the USA in general. One of a kind research facility hosting enclosed ecosystems, cloned from the ones known from the Mother Earth. My family was absolutely stunned (wife and 12yo son). Fantastic personnel willing to answer every question, great idea with the app guide - yet it freezes pretty often requiring restart. I hesitated for the moment to visit that place, but I’m so glad I decided to go. And I have that great feeling that money spent there will serve a good cause keeping this unique place running. If you ever wondered how the human bases would look like on Mars, the Moon or other less friendly environments - this is the place to see and learn. Whoever were the people who designed it - I admire you. Thank you! What is my wish to make it even better? Take us to the LUNG, show us actually the hydroponic garden, take us to the power generation area. I will come back if this dream comes true!

This is my second visit to the Biosphere 2. My last visit was in the late nineties. There has been an amazing upgrade since then. It's so cool to hear about the interesting experiments happening in this unique space. The history lesson about the need for transparency in science is much appreciated. I loved being able to see the different biological zones and the human habitat from the first experiments in creating a sustainable ecosystem. (harder than it looks) From the innovative "lungs" to the LEO experimental slopes to the beautiful and clever architecture, I was impressed by the creative use of the facility. I did miss hearing the interviews with the original biospherians. I guess those videos are still somewhere on the internet. They talk about how they felt about the original experiment before, during and after. The app was very helpful. You need to download and install the app, and then download an additional 1gb of media before you get to the site. The WiFi is not reliable. But watching the videos on the app was a very good way to get a tour at your own pace.

A lot of good information pertaining to the ECO-System. Videos at each station were very informative. The Tower Tour, $12, will give you a 360⁰ view of the whole facility. Just be ready to climb 77 stairs... 😬 Canes and walkers not advised. A great way to spend the afternoon.

Finally, I got to see a place on my list for many years. I was thrilled to finally walk the grounds. Walking through the doors of the Biosphere2 one enters into a world with different environments developed to explore and create experiments to explore ways to help preserve our world. Learn how scientists lived there for two years while sealed into the building. An app on your phone helps you learn while you walk through the space. Really a unique experience, worth devouring to north of Tucson.

My previous visit, before the COVID-19 pandemic, left a lasting impression. Every corner offered a new discovery. I learned so much about the original Biosphere 2 project, the supporting research from the 1980s, the ongoing scientific work, the mechanics of the lungs and their role in maintaining closed environments, and the ocean zone. I even enjoyed a lovely lunch at the café. Before stepping inside, I knew very little about Biosphere 2. By the time I left, I was hooked—buying books, diving into its history, and bringing it up in every conversation for weeks. It was one of the most memorable and inspiring science experiences I’ve ever had. This time, however, I left feeling disappointed. While I understand the need to scale back live tours during the pandemic, the current visitor experience—especially at $27 per adult and $15 per child—felt underdeveloped. I am considering this based on similarly priced tourist experiences I've had such as the Omaha Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo, or large museums like the Field Museum in Chicago. The lack of signage and storytelling throughout the site made it difficult to understand what we were seeing. The app-based audio/video tour was not practical with young children in tow, and the directional arrows were confusing, which made us feel like we were missing key areas. In particular, I was surprised to find that the Technosphere and Lung areas now require an additional $12 on top of the $27. These spaces are original and essential to understanding how the Biosphere functioned as a closed system and why it was so revolutionary. Seeing the basement and the cement disk floating in the air was very important to my understanding of Biosphere 2. They are core to the story. Meanwhile, areas like the underwater ocean viewing section were closed entirely - I had been very excited to share that area with my children. This made the experience feel fragmented and less immersive than when I toured seven years earlier. Where I would be happy to pay more is for deeper, docent-led tours of the biomes—especially an extended rainforest experience. That area is so rich with life, and having an expert guide walk us through would unlock so much more value. On my previous visit, the live tours were a highlight. The people working there revealed small details I never would have noticed on my own—like the intricate systems in the intensive agriculture zone and the experiments underway in the labs. Overall, I believe the visitor experience would benefit tremendously from renewed focus on storytelling and accessibility—imagining the space from the perspective of a diverse range of learners and guests. Whether someone is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, a young child, a science enthusiast, or simply curious, they should be able to engage deeply without relying solely on an app. This place has the potential to stir wonder, spark big questions, and display scientific innovation at scale—but it needs the tools to tell that story well. Thank you for preserving and sharing this remarkable place. We hope it continues to inspire the next generation of thinkers, dreamers, and doers.

Very cool place to visit! At the Titan Missile Museum you go underground into a real Cold War missile silo and see the massive missile up close. The scale of everything is incredible and really makes you feel the history. The guides are excellent — they explain everything in a very interesting and easy-to-follow way. Definitely worth it if you’re in Tucson!

This place is awesome!!!! My son and I really liked it and we BOTH want to recommend it. The tour was very informational and going down into the complex was very cool. The price was very reasonable, able to take pictures (obviously) and if you go......when asked for volunteers in the control room, do it.

This museum is absolutely worth a visit! Our guide, Steve, brought the experience to life with a great mix of humor and deep knowledge. After the tour, I even had the chance to connect my ham radio to the original 80-foot-tall, 60-year-old Collins Discage antenna — and made contacts all the way to Hawaii and my uncle in Tennessee. A truly unforgettable experience!

I attended the guided tour, I recommend the tour over topside viewing. It’s a fun adventure into the military tech of the 1960s. Just thinking about being stationed here waiting for a fight that never happened in a secret location had me imagining the lives of these young men. What an interesting time the Cold War was. Having grownup in the 80/ and 90s we had more of a sense of purpose in those days. Great tour and guides.

Great experience. Definitely recommend stopping out. Learned a bit about our history I never knew. Love how they kept it original for every thing.

Very interesting and informative tour. Celeste was great and very knowledgeable answering everyone's qusstions. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

Very interesting history and exhibits in the lobby as well as a view through the fence of a disassembled missile. Big draw back of the guided "tour" for us was the 45 steps down and the 45 steps up.

Chillin' at Chul was great! There was free admission, good food and drinks and live music. It was much cooler in the gardens than down in the city and we had a great time exploring and just chatting on the porch swings. Bring bug spray or wear long sleeves. The mosquitoes bit us a lot.

This is one of the first places I take someone who comes in from out of town to visit. “Chillin at Chul” is a beautiful way to spend a Friday or Saturday evening. The music, people, and environment are always great. Lots of little trails and a whole back garden for kids to explore and play around in. “Guitars Under the Stars” is another great event that’s held in the garden bistro and definitely worth checking out. Great food and service. Indoor and outdoor seating for big and small groups. We’ve also attended the seasonal movie showings that Tohono Chul hosts around the holidays. Very fun. Worth checking out, especially if you have children.

Beautiful gardens with all sorts of tranquil and lovely nooks and places to sit. I visited in late October, and it is wonderful now, but I would love to come back in spring when the cacti are blooming- although I saw my first ever October-blooming cactus here, and there are quite a few other flowers blooming. There are some beautiful sculptures throughout the gardens, and wonderful artwork in the museum.

This place is a botanical garden, with a few small shops aside. The gardens are beautiful and there are a couple nice trails that you can take for a peaceful walk in the desert. The entrance fee is $20, which is too high if you are just looking for a peaceful walk on a nature trail. I was there for a docent led tour called Plants and Poetry, and it was a good price for a 1 hour activity. The tour combined art and science in a charming way, as we met each desert plant as an individual in a community of specialized desert flora.

Bistro: A visit to the Bistro, before or after the gardens is up to you but you don’t want to pass it up. A fine menu with a variety options, we tried the Vegan Blue Corn Tamales and Prickly Pear Chicken Salad Croissant; both were very fresh and tasty. Gardens: Well played out and accessible.

First time visiting & didn't get to explore the entirety of the property. Entrance grants access to the children's museum as well. Stroller friendly-ish... paths can get a little rough but are wide enough to navigate. Early morning or late afternoon/evening is highly recommended, unless you love the heat. Lots of wildlife: birds, bugs, lizards on the main paths. Plants for sale, art for sale, water & vending machines available as well as on site restaurant. Plenty of seating areas with pretty views and art exhibitions. We were gifted this entrance fee but need to go again and finish exploring everything we didnt get to see!

A beautiful spot for a walk or wedding! Amazing gardens with plenty to explore. I photographed a wedding here in 2025 and it was so nice to have a private area to have the ceremony, cake cutting, and dances.

I visited San Xavier del Bac Mission today, just south of Tucson, and it hit me all over again why they call it the White Dove of the Desert. The mission rises out of the land with this quiet power, even now with scaffolding wrapped around the front while they work on the old façade. You can see where time, weather, and a few bad repair choices from the past have worn it down, and now there’s a careful crew out there trying to bring it back the right way. Even with the construction, or maybe because of it, the place feels alive and in motion instead of frozen in a postcard. Inside, the air is cool and still. Candles, color, carved figures, and old paintings all carry that mix of Catholic history and Tohono O’odham spirit. It feels like a living church, not just a museum, and you can sense how many prayers have soaked into those walls. Outside, the desert light hits the towers and scaffolding together, and it feels like you’re watching an elder being cared for. If you are anywhere near Tucson, it is worth stepping into that space, even while the work is going on. Maybe especially now, while you can see the effort it takes to keep something this old, this sacred, standing strong. Grateful Traveler’s Note 🌿

Incredible. The detail is stunning, takes you back in time. So peaceful. Museum portion is very informative. No tickets are needed but donations are helpful for preserving this amazing site and the community.

A very beautiful place to visit. Very calming and the history all around the grounds. The gift shop is so nice. Staff is friendly and outside vendors have yummy Popovers Indian Bread. We will be back soon.😊

San Xavier del Bac Mission truly lives up to its nickname, “The White Dove of the Desert.” This magnificent and spiritual Spanish Catholic mission, completed in 1797, is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and features breathtaking painted artwork throughout. The atmosphere inside the church is deeply moving. It was incredibly touching to see all the candles purchased for the sick, the dead, and for miracles. The fact that a candle, which costs just $8, will burn for an entire week is a beautiful gesture. The mission grounds are equally charming. We loved strolling through the courtyard with its beautiful fountain and browsing the quaint gift shop for unique Arizona trinkets. The food vendors outside were a great addition, offering delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine. This is a must-see for anyone in the Tucson area, whether you appreciate history, architecture, or are simply looking for a peaceful and spiritual place to visit.

Amazing and beautiful! The architecture was amazing, the museum and the church still continues to serve the Tohono O’odham community! Definitely check it out when in Tucson. Also, if they do have mass, please do not enter. And bring water as well!

San Xavier del Bac Mission, built in 1797, is a stunning example of Mexican Baroque architecture. The intricate carvings, vibrant frescoes, and preserved religious relics make it a deeply spiritual and historical site. Inside, the ornate altars and centuries-old artifacts reflect the rich Catholic heritage of the region. It's both a place of worship and a must-see tourist destination near Tucson. The peaceful desert setting adds to its beauty, and guided tours offer valuable insights into its cultural and architectural significance. A true gem of Arizona history and a remarkable experience.

TLDR: I am not Catholic, but have visited various cathedrals, churches and missions and this is one of the most interesting I’ve ever been to. “Founded by Padre Kino in 1692 and completed in 1797, San Xavier del Bac Mission is Arizona’s oldest European structure and a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture.” - stolen from the website 😎. I’m always blown away by the artistry and commitment to detail ensconced in the decoration of religious places of worship, and the beauty of the San Xavier del Bac Mission is no exception. You really have to visit to take it all in. The staff is welcoming, and there is a gift shop where I picked up a handmade (I think) souvenir ornament and some DELICIOUS prickly pear gummy bears. Seriously, they were really good and I haven’t seen them anywhere since that visit.

10/10 experience every time we go here! The people working and volunteering are sooo kind and knowledgeable and just all around wonderful. The entire experience is the best and easily one of our favorite places! Plenty of areas indoor to look around and cool off. Lots of engaging and fun things for kids! So much to learn and see!

Fantastic place! There are enough animals, fish, amphibians, etc. on display to qualify as a desert zoo, but there is also plenty of plants, cacti, walking, and general desert information that it makes for a good museum too. Even with the shaded spots and indoor exhibits, my mom got overheated, so she and my dad went back to the coffee shop. They told my wife and I to continue on, so we went through some more exhibits and enjoyed them before heading back. The desert has so much beauty and diversity, and yet most people (including myself in the past) only think of it as sand, dirt, shrubs and cacti. This is a great place to visit!

Our family loves to come here. This is a wonderful place to learn new things and get some exercise. We think it’s best to come here in the cooler parts of the year (November- April). We have come during the warm seasons though and have enjoyed the Pack Rat Playhouse to escape the sun! Highly recommend with family. They have shows daily where the staff teach about a few different critters. The audience can ask questions about each animal. Bring water and snacks!

absolutely incredible!! this place never fails to amaze me as an arizona native! i adore all of the information on the desert around us and all the fun little creatures that i learned more about. if you live near Tucson, you need to check this place out. it’s situated right next to part of the Saguaro National Park, so you get a stunning view of all of the cacti plus the mountains. 10/10 experience

Went to the desert museum and spent over 4 hours there. Amazing, immersive experience! Make sure to bring along a water bottle to stay hydrated in the heat. I recommend getting there as early as possible to beat that heat. From the cactus to the pollinators to the animals, such a cool place. We stopped for lunch at the grill and there was plenty of options to eat and rehydrate. Everyone should check this place out. A must-do in Tucson!

Lovely time 🌞 definitely wear a hat and comfy shoes 👍 they have water fountains throughout so if you bring a water bottle you can fill it :) they have both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The gem and mineral is my favorite for indoor, and Strawberry the bear is my favorite for the outdoor 🐻♥️♥️ but the cave is super cool and all the animals are really cool too, it's honestly like a mini zoo. 🦌🐿🦦🦨🐾🦉🦎🐍🦕🐡🦋🪲🦂🌵

I revisited recently after finding it to be a very striking space 9 years ago. I had mixed feelings about the experience this time around, and appreciate certain variables listed here may not always be present. Pros: It's great to have access to convenience facilities on the edge of this absolutely amazing landscape. The butterfly garden was amazing. We got to see a kestrel at the entrance. The reptile room is very cool. The fossil area is good for a sensory experience and conversation about the history of the area. Not so great: A lot of the enclosures are kind of grimy and clearly showing their age, making it difficult to make out a creature inside, if there are any. The hummingbird aviary was quite the disappointment, as that was my favorite experience last time, with numerous birds in the space. We only saw two birds this visit, whether others were hiding or there's really only two birds in there similar to the other aviary where there was a duck and a handful of mourning doves. There were some loud conversations happening so perhaps they were in hiding. We did visit the new-to-us Packrat Playhouse, as we have two young kids. There's guidelines for participants clearly displayed, the first being no running. The space is not safe for running because it's darker and there's enough things within the space that it's difficult to move freely without contacting another person if you're not watching out. I appreciate that it's a good cool space for kids to chill out, but there were multiple school groups and what was apparently one museum staff member/volunteer present and they seemed fully indifferent to proceedings, which included high speed games of chase/tag, and kids who towered over mine almost running over them. Having a timeframe where the space is open only to kids younger than 7 or cordoning off areas for younger kids (as the toddler zone was visited by everyone), and/or staff actually asking supervising adults to uphold the safety rules, would go far in making this a much more pleasant experience. Otherwise, it's a gorgeous space, but consider visiting a local botanical garden instead, as that's what this generally feels like at this point. You'll get the terrain/environment and maybe some wildlife in a more ideal free roaming capacity, but at a much more affordable price - certainly less than $25/kid (unless you're at the one in Phoenix 😆). The cost is steep for what it is at this time, and what we expected based on past experience.

I’ve lived in Arizona for almost 20 years and this was my first visit. It’s a beautiful park and I can’t believe I waited so long. Many areas to see, so many that you probably won’t be able to see them all in a single visit. I definitely recommend walking the large loop trail through the canyon as that’s the most scenic area. The trails are all very well maintained and pretty easy to walk. If the weather is cool enough, just about anyone can handle them. I would plan on spending about three hours to see all of the best areas. If it were closer I would certainly consider getting an annual pass.

This is one of those must see places. It’s more like a nature hike than a straight botanical garden so bring good walking or hiking shoes and some water. Well behaved dogs are welcome too. Great views and some AZ history along the way. If you are lucky you might see some Coati’s who live on property.

My favorite botanical garden in the state! Its always such a pleasant experience and the grounds are immaculate. Become a member to save $$. There's a lot to see. Ive been many times and always find something new. Easy trails to hike and follow, nice facilities and gift shop. The park employees are always gracious and very helpful. Definitely worth the drive.

This was my first time here and I was so impressed I will be purchasing a yearly membership the next time I go, which hopefully will be soon. It's great for a half day hike, we only did a part of it and found so many interesting things. I posted pictures on Google earlier. Had an amazing day with my friends and I highly recommend visiting this place. They also have plants for sale and a reasonably priced gift shop!

We went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum over the weekend. It is located in Superior, Arizona which is about an hour away from us. We live in the East Valley. You can bring your dogs to explore with you. Reminder to bring your own poop bags, water and a secure leash. We enjoyed the hiking trails along with the gardens with different region themes such as South America, and a garden with plants that attract butterflies and humming birds. They offer shaded areas and seating through out which helped us take breaks and enjoy the views. It is truly an experience that provides many opportunities to stop and take in beautiful landscape and photos. We plan on coming back since there is more left to explore. The admission to enter is $24.95 for adults and youth (13-17) $10 for children (5-12), and free for members and children under 5 yrs old.

Highly recommend a visit. The drive is lovely and parking is easy. We intend to visit often so the dual membership made sense. Check in with or purchase tickets @ front desk/ cashier. If you have membership then use telephone number. Collect/photo a map. We arrived at 4:30pm and went to Ayers Lake to catch the golden hour and take photos. Gorgeous gardens and reflections from the small lake. This trail closes for the night exhibit. We loved to chase the almost full moon photo shoots in this visit. The night flight exhibit was delightful with sculptures lit from beneath. The trail is lit and easy to follow. Assorted healthy plants are available to purchase as you walk in and its well priced. Nice gift store and friendly staff. Bring bug spray for sure, hat if its a day hike. Hot chocolate in a flask and something to snack on at night if desired. Comfy shoes. It started to get cold as the evening progressed. Enjoy!

I am amazed that this arboretum has every facility and exhibit to connect with nature and fully enjoy the environment. It has beautiful views from the Ayer lake and the suspension bridge is beautifully designed. This was my second time and my children ages 5 and 8 were able to do the entire arboretum loop (given many rest stops and snack breaks) Make sure to pack snacks and a big water bottle. There are refilling stations along the way. We saw some adorable coatimundi hanging around Scavenger House this trip and were amazed how long they hung around! Highly recommend this place as a day trip from Phoenix. About 80 min drive from Scottsdale to the arboretum. There is also a great children’s garden activity area best for toddlers age.

Beautiful place to go with your family! The scenery is top notch and the weather is nice and sunny. This is also like a museum considering the fact that there are old parts of the scenery from thousands of years old. The wildlife is vast and there is a couple of birds of prey here. Totally recommend all day! P.S: Keep an eye out on the rams in on the cliff side!

Very pleasant dinner cruise. Staff friendly and helpful. Great scenery, good music. Dinner was better than average (bbq ribs AND chicken - large portions. The 16 mile drive to and from Hwy 60 in the dark was a little hairy. Allow lots of time to go slow.

This cruise had unbelievably gorgeous views with great narration by the captain. We saw the Canyon Lake area including much desert scenery and stupendous mountain views! We even lucked out and saw a bald eagle on her nest and a group of Bighorn sheep! 10 out of 10 stars. A must see!

April 5th 2025 Being an Az native, I’m sad to say I didn’t know this entertainment existed. I learned about the “sunset dinner cruise”from my mom who is actually friends with “Dolly” the original owner. The new owners kept the name and Dolly is still representing the company with enthusiasm. My wife and I did the sunset dinner cruise and boy did it not disappoint! Captain Ron was fun, knowledgeable about the lake and its history, the staff on board were attentive and hustled in our meal distribution. The food was excellent! The sites were amazing and stunning. We saw a lot of big horn sheep on the cliff face and witnessed up close 3 blue herons flying low across the water. For the price this was a fantastic way to spend the evening with my wife.

We had been staying in Apache Junction for the winter and decided to take the Dolly Steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake. The regular cruise is 90 minutes long and takes you around the lake and back. The canyons are impressive and beautiful. I understand you sometimes get to see sheep, but we had no luck on this outing.

I had a great time on this short afternoon cruise. You get to see beautiful views along the way as you listen to the history of the place.

This experience was amazing. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because my friend and I almost got stranded with no ride back to the city and didn’t receive any help from the staff. They said it happens often that a ride share will drop people off only to leave them with no cell service to arrange for a ride back. We were refused access to WiFi at the ticket booth and had to find a shop that would offer WiFi to customers only. If you journey out it’s a great experience just make sure you have a ride back because you won’t get help finding one!!

Tourist trap. The staff was friendly. The building didn't feel authentic. I bought the combo tickets - mine tour, mystery shack and train ride. Mine tour was informative, interesting but short. The mystery shack does not allow you to carry babies in and when I bought combo tickets at mining tour booth they failed to tell me that even though I made sure to ask questions about having a baby. Train was was neat ride and the conductor had great stories! I'm a sucker for gift shops but didn't buy anything because it felt too over priced. Bathrooms were clean. Overall worth checking out at least once.

It was a very cute town. They have fun people on the train ride and mine tours with lots of interesting facts. We ate at the Saloon and they had live music. Lots of gift shops! Free to get into Ghost town and wander but $10.00 and up for everything else. We had a great time. Beautiful view of the Superstition Mtn.

After watching this mining town on ghost adventures and tfil overnight Elton it was awesome to check it out in person. The tour guides were awesome in listening to people and their experiences. Actually using an EMF detector and letting us have moments in silence to interact with any entity. *Only issue is there should maybe be a age limit for the night tour because there were a few children that would keep interrupting silence moments or just talking and didn't want to be in the dark which was a little disruptive. The town looks like it would be fun to check out in the day time

This place was so cool. Had a blast with my family. Handmade crafts. Stories and fun shoot outs in the street. Lots to do.

This place is pretty special to me, a place we visit to just relax and enjoy our desert beauty and embrace the Wild West feel. Don’t let the touristy vibes deter you. The shops are fun and the food is simple but tasty at both the quick service and the Mammoth Saloon. I usually go to the snack bar and save room for scooped ice cream and FRESH (you can smell them as you walk up) waffle cones. Make sure to bring some sun screen and ability to take some time to take the train or mine tour. Also, parking lot is dirt and unmarked, just to give a heads up. To my experience, people are usually really cool with lining up and leaving room. Have a great time!

We had a fun day at Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine. We toured the mine to see how gold was mined by hand. We saw a wild west shootout. We rode the train around town. And we walked through a mystery house. We really enjoyed it.

The town is well worth stopping at even tho its a tourist trap. It has some great food, russlers, cowboys and "Ladies". Just alot of fun. $$

This event was well worth the money! We had a great time! The paintings were fun and easy to complete. My husband and I enjoyed wine and a tasty charcuterie board of treats while painting. We are eager to attend the next “Paint and Sip” event. This made a great date night, but there were groups of friends and families attending and painting as well. Everyone left with smiles on their faces.

The Queen Creek Olive Mill put on the most beautiful baby shower for my daughter! From the first conversation to the day of the shower, Erika made the entire process effortless for us. The decor was whimsical just like my daughter wanted and the food was outstanding. Everyone that attended commented on how fantastic this venue was. The Queen Creek Olive Mill went above and beyond my expectations. I highly recommend having your event with them.

Why am I just learning about the Queen Creek Olive Mill?! This place was such a cool experience! I went there just to check out what they had to offer, and I was so pleasantly surprised to see they served food and had a nice little nook aesthetic going on. I had unfortunately already eaten before I arrived, so I didn't get the chance to indulge in their food, but their menu options looked great, and I'm genuinely eager to go back soon just to try them out! The whole atmosphere was fantastic, and to me it felt like a wonderland. Please don't be like me and think that just because it says "Olive Mill," that's all they've got - not at all, they are serving up so much more! Not only do they have just about every type of olive oil, flavored and non-flavored, you could think of, but they even had a section where you could shop for alcohol, and I forgot to mention for my coffee lovers, there's a coffee stand! Beyond the dining area and incredible variety of products, I believe there's more to the property than what meets the eye, you can probably do some exploring around there as well. This place is definitely a unique and delightful destination. If you're looking for something a bit different but with a lovely setting, definitely check out Queen Creek Olive Mill. I'll be back for that food!

Locally very popular, offering a great selection of olive oils and olive products with abundant samples for tasting. An eclectic menu and reasonable prices draw large crowds at dinner time, so arrive early. While the line was long, counter service was quick and our order was ready in about 15 minutes. Everything was delicious, including the panko encrusted fish, pizza, pesto, and pulled pork. It's easy to see why the Olive Mill is a favorite.

Beautiful grounds for a day trip from Phoenix area. The store has many oils, vinegars, tapenades, wines, jams, kitchen supplies, and spa items. They even have a refrigerated meal area to take their foods to go! We took the tour ($8 in 2025). It was a nice introduction to the history of The Olive Mill and the oil making process. After the tour they offer several food and dessert options. This will be perfect when the weather cools and you can take advantage of the outside fireplace seating. Would make a perfect wedding location if they offer that service.

Erika and her team were amazing at me and my husbands marriage ceremony and reception. They made sure everyone ate and offered to serve me and my husband food. They were super nice and respectful. If we could have another marriage there we would do it all over again here. Affordable and you can decorate it however you want! Thankyou guys for making the night so special for us :).

Very quick tour of olive mill area. Nice lunch and olive oil shopping. My spouse said, I enjoyed the visit. Glad they had shipping to the house.

Really nice, very clean paved walking path around the lake. It is a reclaimed water lake so a little smelly at times. There is a really cool splash pad. A very nice playground. A musical instrument play area. Multiple covered areas to sit at. Such a nice little community surrounding it. Multiple bathrooms and drinking fountains. Parking was pretty easy.

Absolutely beautiful! The fountain is breathtaking to watch, especially when it shoots high into the sky — it’s the perfect centerpiece of the town. The park itself is very clean, peaceful, and well-maintained, with plenty of walking paths, green spaces, and spots to relax by the lake. It’s a great place for families, couples, or even just to enjoy some quiet time outdoors. Whether you come for a picnic, a walk, or just to see the fountain, it never disappoints. Highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area! 🌿💧✨

Very nice and peaceful park with a nice walking trail and a Frisbee golf course. It's a well maintained park with nice bathrooms and plenty of benches. Come right before the top of an hour and watch the magnificent fountain for 15 minutes. I've visited twice now and I enjoy this park.

I was heading out of town but wanted to see th famous fountain. Found out it only goes off every hour on the hour for 15 mins. When I drove up it had already been going off for 8 mins. It is beautiful. Neat to see. They cut it off and water comes cascading down. I found that they normally only run 2 pumps so it shoots up about 300'. Only on special occasions do they use 3 pumps to get it 500 or so feet. Which I'm sure would be awesome. If you are in the area check it out. Parking was easy off a side street. Looked like the surrounding grounds were home to disk golf. And FYI the grass was sopping wet in certain areas so be mindful of that when waking to the waters edge.

The park was super relaxing and peaceful. It had a wide variety of birds, which made the experience even more enjoyable. I especially loved watching the Red-winged Blackbirds and the vibrant red patches on their wings. The park was clean, and thanks to the fountain, there was a refreshing breeze that felt amazing—especially in the Arizona heat.

Beautiful and excellently maintained park and lake and mile plus trail around it. Although I live 20 minutes away, I'll drive there often for a walk with wife and dog. People (and dogs) are always friendly and courteous. Get there on the hour in the evening so you can watch the fountain for 15 minutes.

Visited Fountain Hills, Arizona around noon in early October. The weather was pleasant, and the place was calm and scenic. Plenty of open spaces and activities for kids — a great spot for a relaxing family outing.

This is one of our favorite "happy places"! Friendly staff, beautiful scenery, unique and fun events, educational support for our own plants, and so many more things are what keep us coming back. It has something for everyone. Some of our favorite things so far have been getting married here, enjoying the yearly Boo-tanical Garden with the kids, having regular date days/nights here, and attending their plant sales. The restaurant and cafe are delicious, and the gift shop always has something worth taking home. We absolutely love the Desert Botanical Garden and would recommend to anyone looking for a nice date night, family time, or even just some "me time".

I’d give this place 10 stars if I could! The Desert Botanical Garden is absolutely beautiful and so well maintained. Every trail and exhibit is thoughtfully designed, and you can really see the care that goes into keeping everything in top shape. The staff were attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable; they were happy to answer questions and share insights about the plants and desert landscape. It’s such a peaceful and inspiring place to explore, whether you’re a local or just visiting. There’s also a restaurant on site that feels like fine dining without being stuffy. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was relaxing, and they cater to a wide range of dietary needs. Overall, it’s a must-visit spot in Phoenix.

The botanical garden is a must visit. The trails are no lesser than any state park/national park. The gathering tours were really informative. The staff is friendly. Gift store is so beautiful. There are water stations every now and there. Hydration is not all a problem. Loved watching butterflies and hummingbirds in the butterflies trail. Saguaros are unique.

Must experience. Absolutely beautiful. We were fortunate to arrive after the monsoonal rains. Everything was green and blooming. We arrived a little before sunset, so we're able to see the gardens during the day, at sunset with a beautiful Arizona sky, and the gardens lit at night. The Botanical garden is open till 9:00 pm. If you have a layover at Phoenix Airport, the gardens aren't very far away. I would encourage anyone younger old to take time to visit.

The park is lovely. I went later in the afternoon at the end of October and it was still very warm. You can bring your own water bottle to fill at multiple filtered water stations - water comes out cold. Bring sunglasses, water bottle, sunblock and a hat. Gift shop is very nice.

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is absolutely incredible! I was blown away by the breathtaking views—towering saguaros and colorful cacti create this surreal, almost magical desert landscape. There are so many cool cactuses, from spiky barrels to funky agaves, and I loved wandering the shaded trails snapping photos. It’s super peaceful, like a total escape from the city, with hummingbirds zipping around adding to the calm. The paths are easy to navigate, and the sunset glow on the red buttes was unreal. It’s about $40 to enter, but worth every penny for the curated beauty. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves nature or just wants a chill, inspiring outing. Bring water if it’s warm, and go early for fewer crowds. I’m already excited to come back!

I was somehow expecting an overpriced patch of sand with a few saguaro cactus in it. I instead found a magnificently curated and highly developed garden featuring the huge diversity of plant life to be found in a seemingly empty desert space. There is a surprising amount of beautiful garden infrastructure and architecture in place that enhances an enchanting desert experience. This is a totally morthwhile experience and it's a mere three miles from a major airport. It could not be more convenient. This garden is a participant in a National Garden.Reciprocity program so is easily accessible in terms of admission cost. My local garden card gave me access to this beautiful place at no cost

The Phoenix Zoo is such a fun place to visit! Definitely bring good walking shoes — there’s plenty to see and explore. We went in December, and the weather was perfect, though we did need light jackets. We especially loved seeing the lion, and the ZooLights experience was an absolute blast. A great place for families or anyone who loves animals!

It is a good size and very accessible with adult scooters, kid and adult animal themed scooters, and stroller rentals. The zoo membership was worth it since it pays for itself in about 2 visits. The cafe is decent and if you come on less busy days or less peak hours, it is really peaceful and serene with lots of areas to sit. The animal variety is pretty good for being in the desert and it even has a Siberian Amur tiger, one of the most expensive zoo animals and endangered big cats, that not even the San Diego Zoo has.

Had a great time at the Phoenix Zoo! The animals seem well taken care of. Enclosures are fairly large and well kept. There are animal ambassadors at most of the areas that are very informative and knowledgeable. They were able to answer all our questions and some were quite funny. They have the only open walk through attraction with squirrel monkeys in the United States, which is in my opinion a must see for any visitor to the zoo. Also you can feed giraffes, ride a camel or play in the water park. Their is something for everyone. Overall my experience was enjoyable and I recommend if your are in Phoenix to add a stop at the zoo!

We recently went here for zoo lights as part of an event from work, and it was beautiful. We have never been here for this, but now that we have, we enjoyed it very much. All of the lights and the details that they did to make all of it happen was worth it. I didn't take many pictures as I was enjoying my self that I forgot.. but it is beautiful and a really great experience. The animals are sleeping so you dont really see them. The trails are closed to some areas, but they make the animals come to life with, all the lights! There was only a few things open for snacks and drinks, and they had long lines so I guess bring yoir drinks and snacks with you? Otherwise is a really great experience for everyone!

Beautiful zoo. Lots of remodeling and upgrades being done. Nice tram tour of park, only $6. Today was the Dia de los muertos event, was awesome.

We had a wonderful time at the Phoenix Zoo! The grounds were clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed. For being in the desert, there was plenty of shade, which made walking around very comfortable even on a warm day. There were lots of drink stations and food options throughout the zoo, so it was easy to grab a refreshment or snack without having to go far. The layout was easy to follow with maps and signs everywhere, which made exploring stress-free and enjoyable. The giraffe area was absolutely huge, and we loved the elevated platform walkway that connects exhibits that gives a unique view of the animals below. Overall, the Phoenix Zoo is a fun, family-friendly place that clearly takes pride in both guest experience and animal care.

You can't go wrong with the Phoenix Zoo. Plenty of wild animals and you'll get your steps in. They offer strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters for a fee. Kids love this place. Annual pass is affordable for the entire family.

Excellent museum! It is a huge place. You wear a headset which plays music as you approach the various exhibits. Exhibits are well labeled and so many interesting details. I loved hearing and seeing people playing the instruments on display via the headset and videos. There is a room where kids and adults can play a variety of instruments. Highly recommend!

Very amazing and educational museum. Would definitely recommend to anyone to go! 2 stories of history and cultures! Plan for it to take a good portion of your day. They have a cafeteria on site that has amazing food as well! Also an interactive instrument room where you can try out some of the different instruments you saw in the exhibits!

This museum is now firmly within my top 5 favorite museums in the world. I was pleasantly surprised at how large the museum is after deciding to visit last-minute. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and include not only visuals but optional audio for everything you are viewing. With interesting facts about instruments, artists, and music styles from around the world. I only had the chance to see about 1/4 of all they have in my quick 2 hour visit so I’d recommend planing a few hours to come here and experience it all. There is a gallery where you can play a variety of instruments which as a musician was a dream. I’ve always wanted to play a harp and got the chance to do so here! The gift shop had such a fun variety of unique items, I came away with jewelry made from piano strings that I love! And on top of it all, this museum was truly inclusive for folks who need special accessibility accommodations. I recently injured my foot putting me on crutches. The staff kindly offered my choice of a wheelchair or electric scooter at no charge to use while in the museum. I can’t wait for the day I can come back to experience more!!

It is the best museum I ever seen! I am not a fan of music, but I am deeply touched by all kinds of music and instruments from all over the world, hundreds of countries and hundreds cultures. Staff in this museum are super nice, they are ready to answer your questions and provide useful information you need. This museum is not only good for adults, but also great place for kids! If you want your kid to learn instruments, bring kids to this museum and kids will start to fall in love with music. I will definitely come back to this museum again with my kid. Overall, I strongly recommend this museum. It is the No.1 best museum among the hundreds of museums I have seen.

An incredible collection of instruments spanning the globe. Our visit was particularly auspicious as it coincided with the "Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars" exhibit. The violins and bows were exquisite. Plan to spend the day wandering through the various rooms to learn about cultural context and history.

MIM is worth the drive, no matter where you're staying in Phoenix. It's not just for music lovers, but also about history and engineering. We drove up from Tempe with our ASU student - we already plan to go back! The mechanical music room was fascinating and the artists room had so much variety - do not say no to the headphones. The experience of floating in and out of the sounds of the instruments on display really was magic. We finished with watching the short introduction film they offered. After experiencing the museum, it really brought home the universality of music through out all of human history... and it seems all to be represented right there in MIM. Really well organized and displayed: unique instruments, how instruments are made, antidotes from artists, instruments and musical styles from every corner of the world. Love!

A very fun place to visit! I thought a museum about musical instruments may not be very large or interesting, yet MIM changed my mind completely. It not only shows music from different countries, but also demonstrates the deeper cultures behind the music. As the picture shows, “Music is the language of the soul.” I think everyone who love music should visit this place, and you will see a much bigger world!

First time setting foot on this property. From check-in to check-out it was an absolute pleasure to stay here! Been to Vegas, stayed at a resort in Scottsdale, so I had a little apprehension about stating further out of the Phoenix area. This property has everything you need to enjoy a vacation with the family or stay on business. Rooms were beautiful, comfortable, and clean. Great selection of slot machines, a seperate smoking section with slot machines, lots of table games with reasonable minimum bet levels. We also had the opportunity to play Ak-Chin Southern Dunes golf course. I don't tote myself as anything close to a golfer, but have had opportunities to play unbelievable courses across Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada. This golf course is well worth planning an entire weekend getaway! Back to the hotel. They have an in-house Dunkin Donuts that opens early, and a wicked steakhouse, along with a couple of other restaurants in the hotel. I love my whiskies and bourbons and Chop l, Block, and Brew did not disappoint with their selection. We even walked over to the adjoining bowling alleys and threw some stones. My only regret was that I didn't get to check out the pool, but I did see it from my hotel room, and it looked wonderful. All staff from the front desk, the security guards, the staff at all the different restaurants, the casino dealers, to the gift shop were always pleasant and wonderful to talk to.

Hubs and I wanted to have a nice romantic staycay getaway for just the two of us. We had heard that this place was amazing and very reasonable priced. That was not our take at all. We first arrived and we checked in no warm welcome. Very confusing check in set up. We got to our room and we had been given 3 keys but no reason was to why. We tried to turn on the ac and it did not work below 75F . I went back downstairs and asked why the ac was not working. I was told at first that it sho7be working if we put a key by the front door and not to remove it or the ac would go off again. I we t back upstairs and to,d my husband and we sat there and tried to relax. However he started to have an asthma attack really bad. I called down to the front and advised them if would could switch rooms, we were told due to us being there for an extended period of time we could not move rooms. We also asked if there was any rooms that had balcony doors that could open and the guy said no. Funny bc we were looking right out the window and saw the balcony door… We spoke to a supervisor and she said we could transfer rooms but we would have to pay the difference between our room and the new room. We agreed , moved rooms bug it did not help. We were miserable and the room still stunk was smaller and we were charged more for less. We could not sleep well .my husband kept his I g asthma attacks and did not rest well at all. After our Check out the next day they charge our card a total of like 260.00 bucks for one night. They said there was a 50 extra hold in case of room charges we were never told this. They did end up crediting the 50 fee and the room change charge We were totally unhappy with the entire time and did not enjoy and of it at all. we will definitely not be going bsck. Communication is definitely lacking, room cleanliness is terrible. They entire night was horrible.

WARNING! Be prepared to pay unexpected fees. we arrived a before the 4 PM check in time. So they charged an extra $38.78 I have checked in early at many hotels, many chains all across the country and at resorts worldwide and never had this happen. Also, if you like a rock hard bed and very small room this is the place for you if you prefer a comfortable bed and a place to sit then definitely not. Pool area feels more like a prison compound than it does like a resort. I recommend traveling a little further north and going to a truly nice casino hotel.

So, we didn't know what to think of the hotel, being it was so economically priced. It was very clean, everything was stocked and,well... GREAT! It was pet friendly and the amenities were outstanding. We plan on visiting the hotel again, but next time we plan on staying and using resort for at least a few days! We have not one bad thing to say about "Harrah's" AK-CHIN Hotel and casino. It was amazing! Also, the staff and the parking were amazing. Thanks again!

We enjoy Ak-Chin .. even tho it's 45min to an hr drive, so worth it!! The restaurants are vey nice, always GREAT service, Nicole at Oak & Fork is sooo great at customer service!! .. Everyone @ Chop & Block too (the food & desserts are so yummy!!) We have stayed and the rooms are nice, very comfy ... Slot machines (love the variety) Table game dealers are nice and willing to help teach you the game! .. Summer we loved the pool & cabanas ... Yup, it's one of our favorite places for fun!!

The hotel is conveniently located 5-10 min from the friend I was visiting. The room was average. The service was very good. My issue was with Caesar rewards. Apparently, even though I called the Harrah's to make the reservation, I was transferred to a 3rd party vendor. Harrah's refused to award me the Caesar reward points that I should have gotten for our stay. The rewards were one of my main reasons for choosing the hotel since there is a Laquinta down the street that's even closer to my friends house.

We did not stay at the hotel. We have been going to this Casino for over 11 years. We went last Saturday and I am a diamond plus member with a Caesars Reward visa card. I went to play after 25 points no free play. I went to the total rewards desk and asked why I didn't have any free play. She said they changed my free play from M-F. I told her it was always Saturday thru Sunday. She said they have made changes. She was very nice, she gave me a local number to call. I waited until Monday and called. I called that number and was told to call another number after 9 am. I finally got through at 9:30 am. I explained what happen She had me hold on and called marketing. She told me they wanted more patrons to come during the week. I said I would like to talk to Marketing. She took my name and number and stated they would call me back that same day. I have not heard one word. Here is the kicker my husband is also a diamond plus member and he still gets free play on the weekend. I actually have more points than him. They have taken most of the perks away so why should we keep patronizing this casino. They are on a path of losing more customers.

An absolute gem! There is so much history and exhibits at this museum. From the paintings, to the baskets and sculptures, Bob Haozous and HOME exhibits. Incredible collection of Hopi dolls and beadwork. I loved the substance of stars and courtyard. Learning the history of Indian boarding schools was also a highlight. I highly recommend if you want to learn about the history of Native Americans.

What an amazing place — this museum honestly blew me away! 💛 It’s modern, spacious, full of light and air — every corner feels alive. The exhibits are interactive and beautifully put together, and there was even a whole section about the stars — unexpectedly inspiring and so well done. We joined a guided tour that was supposed to be 45 minutes — but it went closer to 55, and it still felt like five minutes. The guide was incredible — so passionate and easy to listen to, sharing fascinating stories about Native American history and art. That hour just flew by. They also have a Family Room — a really lovely space for kids to explore and play while learning. I was there without my children this time, but I know they’d absolutely love it. It’s one of those places that’s interesting for both adults and kids — there’s something for everyone. I came around 2 p.m., and the museum closes at 4 — big mistake, two hours weren’t nearly enough. I didn’t get to see a couple of galleries, and I barely had time to peek into the gift shop — which, by the way, is fantastic. So many handmade things — pottery, jewelry, paintings — all authentic, unique, and full of soul. I could’ve easily spent another hour just there. There’s also a cozy café and a small bookstore — perfect if you want to sit for a bit and soak in the atmosphere. Next time I’m in Phoenix, I’m definitely coming back — and I’ll make sure to spend the whole day here. Such a beautiful, thoughtful, and inspiring place. 🌿

Marvelous museum, so glad we were able to go while I was in Arizona. Many interesting artifacts, artwork, exhibits from Native American artists showcased in several galleries. There are tours you can take with docents. We went through the museum on our own. Highly recommend a visit if you are in the state of AZ.

This is a beautiful museum with lots of exhibits and history. It is nice to get an honest account of what has happened to this culture. The "away from home: American Indian boarding school stories" is a must-see. The docents that work there are very friendly and take you on the tours. The only reason I gave it a four is because the lady behind the counter was not very friendly and very gruff. Maybe she had a bad day. Do not bring small backpacks. There is also a lot of security patrolling the museum at all times.

The architecture of the museum was quite unique and even a bit whimsical—I really liked that. Each gallery had its own distinct vibe, which made exploring the space enjoyable. Everything was beautifully curated and visually striking. However, the overall concept left me feeling emotionally overwhelmed. I usually enjoy viewing art, but the tragic history of Native Americans and the way they were treated made me feel incredibly sad—so much so that it gave me a stomachache. You can truly feel the pain, sorrow, and suffering expressed through their artwork, which is deeply moving but also incredibly heavy and heartbreaking.

My first time at the Heard Museum was memorable. It's not the biggest museum, but it has a lot of galleries and rooms. What strikes me about this museum is that it's has the best Native American antiquities and my favorite was the American history of taking away Native American children from their family to be reeducated in a white American school and way of life. The part that moved me was all the children being ripped away from their parents and once they reached their destination, each child was given a mandatory hair cut, the first step of stripping them of their heritage, culture and identity. It was horrific what these children went through, and having a Native American heritage myself, it was really moving Another part of this museum worth going to is their cafe. The people there are so friendly like our server, Christopher. The atmosphere and the food was worth the money spent. I bought the hummus sandwich since I'm a vegetarian and for dessert my partner and I shared a fried bread sundae which was delicious 😋🤤. I definitely recommend this place and the museum itself

The staff were very helpful. Enjoyed celebrating the Navajo veterans community on Veterans Day

Lovely zoo with aquarium, restaurants and animal encounters. It also has a few rides and tours. We went today, 9/8/2025, and it absolutely as dead as could be. The heat was oppressive (but we knew it would be) and most of the attractions were for the summer. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and we really enjoyed our visit. We will be back in the Fall and in the Winter. We watched the Sea Lion show and we're lucky enough to see every big cat in action. The tram ride was wonderful and provided a great little break from walking. Our guide was great! The knowledgeable staff was friendly and available. The only thing that keeps this review from being a 5 is the lack of seating throughout the park and the aquarium. But, truly an absolutely awesome experience!

We had a nice morning here at the zoo. It's larger than we thought...you can walk for quite a while. We went to the sea lion show and it was a hoot. Penguin feeding was ok...not great. The aquarium part of the tour is good. There are 2 or 3 buildings with aquariums I believe. The hands on stingray tank is cool. They actually love to be touched. We learned they call this type of stingray "Puppies of the Sea" lol. There are some food places on site. We had some brisket at the BBQ place which was just ok. We purchased tickets on Groupon...I think we saved $6 per ticket.

We have been wanting to visit this park since we've moved to Arizona 3 years ago. Since it's located in the West Valley that's a big plus for us because we live in the West Valley and most of the fun attractions for kids are in the East Valley I require a long drive. I had a lot of observations about this venue which I will summarize with pros and cons PROS ~Lots to explore- Over 200 acres! ~Unique venue- zoo, aquarium, amusement park rides all in one ~ No crowds- This was our 1st visit. We went on a Sunday w/ beautiful weather. One person in our group said she had never experienced crowds in any of her many visits through the years ~ Sea Lion Show was very well done and included in admission ~ Lots of shade- which ia so nive on warmer days ~ Large variety of animals ~ Free Parking ~ Several restaurants CONS ~ Admission Price is on the high side ~ No family memberships ~ Walking pathways are dirt, so wear good walking shoes ~ No outside food allowed A Family membership plan for locals would be a great incentive to visit. Memberships that include rides would also be great. I would like to acknowledge EMPLOYEE TROY. He talked to us near the Kangaroo area, and told us all about the baby kangaroos. He was very professional, knowledgeable & friendly. Food was very good at the restaurant that we ate at called SLICE. Overall this was a 3.5 to 4.0 experience for me, but I am rounding up to 4.0, because there were a lot of positive things about our visit. Ultimately for local families I think that the high price is an obstacle. We are an extended family with four grandchildren and we are always looking for Great Value memberships locally that we can bring our grandkids to and enjoy throughout the year. It would be such a benefit to so many to create a family type of membership that would allow us to return on a regular basis at an affordable price. The ability to bring food in would also be great because a lot of families do like to pack food to save money. There are a lot of areas where picnic tables could be added. ~ Thank you for a memorable day!

If you are in or near Phoenix AZ I highly recommend stopping here. Although a lot of the enclosures were empty, there was still plenty to see. A lot of the animals were interactive. I like how they have an outdoor section on the right, then an aquarium section on the left. That way you can go back and forth to cool down. I’ve also been to zoos with snack stands but this one has actual restaurants. I believe only the pizza place was open. Which was good but not great for the price and size. I do wish they put more effort into the enclosures for the animals to cool down. Some just had a puddle of water and no shade. I was on the verge of a heat stroke so I can only imagine how hot some of these animals are in the summer. Overall it was a cool experience. You can feed giraffes, go up in the air over a bunch of enclosures, food and gift shops.

We had a really great time here today. Went on a Thursday in November and the weather was great, had a minimal crowd and virtually all the animals were out to see. We started on the right side of the park, walked back to have lunch at Dillons Bbq, which was delicious, and really enjoyed the huge fish tank in the restaurant. We then ventured around the aquarium park and finished up in Adventure Land where we took the tram tour, which I highly recommend. Spent about 5 hours in total at the zoo.

What a great zoo and aquarium. It seems to be slow but it was amazing to see the animals so up close. Monkeys are on little islands, peacocks are rooming freely. They have giraffe you can feed and various animal encounters too.

Great place to see wonderful animals and make memories with family and friends. You don't want to miss the opportunity to feed the giraffes, birds, fish, and goats - what a blast for my 4 year old granddaughter! If you really like going several times a year, be sure to get the membership. The membership pays for itself after 2 visits. There are refill cup options and reasonable food prices. There is also a nice restaurant attached to the zoo.

GORGEOUS nearly untouched landscape; we camped here at the Twin Peaks campground for three nights and had an amazing time. So much wildlife to uncover and vegetation to photograph. We spent the nights hunting around for insects with black lights and looking upwards for bats, owls, and nighthawks. Truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

Very interesting park. Beautiful landscape and nice hike (the one on the prepared path). Unfortunately it is not easy and we didn't took chances to finish the hike up to the arch. It's a pity there is not enough info regarding this...

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is an amazing place if you love desert landscapes. The scenery is absolutely beautiful – tons of saguaros and organ pipe cacti, mountains all around, and incredible sunsets. There are some really nice scenic drives and hikes, from short walks to longer trails where you hardly see anyone. The visitor center staff are friendly and helpful with maps and safety tips. It is very remote, though, and the heat can be extreme for much of the year, so you really have to bring plenty of water, sun protection, and a full gas tank. There are Border Patrol checkpoints in the area, but we never had any issues. Overall, it’s a stunning, quiet park that feels wild and unique – definitely a 5-star experience if you’re prepared for desert condition

Giant cactus all around! There are plenty of places to hike, camp, and have picnices. Be warned that there are few trees here and can be hot during the warm season. There's an option to drive around the park, and that's what we did to see some of the main sights. The visitor center is also a must-see for the exhbits, souvenirs, and informative staff.

A hidden gem that is extra rewarding to those that venture out here in the heat of summer. We've visited in June when the park was virtually deserted. As such, he rangers offered us very personalized lecture and a taste of saguaro fruit; unique and amazing experience, The 21 miles loop Ajo drive, mostly gravel road, was easily navigated by a Kia Soul. There are some low points that may not be suitable for very low clearance vehicles such as hybrid sedans. While you are there, do stop by the little quaint town of Ajo. There isn't much in the way of food not lodging options. You'll likely head back to Phoenix or stay in Gila Bend.

We did one 4 hour hike on a day trip. The campground looked very nice. (No generators). Our pups had a blast hiking the trail. The visitor center was very informative. They have a small gift shop and a small museum.

Way out of the way (about 2.5 hours from Tucson) but well worth the trip. The rangers were friendly and informative. The loop road takes you through 21 miles of stunning scenery.

Said to be one of the most haunted destinations in Yuma, Arizona, we found the prison to be fun for the whole family. It is educational, historical and full of surprises. Prices are $10 per adult and $5 perchild, free parking. There is an indoor museum and an outdoor interactive Prison setting. There is also a dark cave (with bats you can actually see) and plenty of photo ops. We loved that there was a shaded space for a picnic should you chose to bring a lunch. Staff is welcoming, friendly and informative and we would highly recommend this tourist attraction.

I loved the history here! I spent almost two hours here and I would have stayed longer if it wasn't for the heat! There's so much to read and interact with as you learn about this historical place. Mike, the staff member inside the museum, was great to talk to and knowledgeable. I was able to comfortably geek-out on the history and enjoy myself. Highly recommend

My wife and I, along with a few friends, visited the Yuma Territorial Prison Historical State Park on October 3rd, 2025, and we absolutely loved it. The museum is packed with fascinating history about the prison, its prisoners, and the many stories that shaped this place. You can really feel the weight of the past as you walk through the old cells and read about the people who once lived here. The exhibits are well organized, informative, and engaging — it’s easy to spend a couple of hours exploring everything. The staff were friendly and clearly passionate about preserving the history of the prison. The views of the Colorado River from the grounds are also beautiful and worth taking in before you leave. Overall, it’s a must-visit if you’re in Yuma. A great mix of history, atmosphere, and storytelling!

Took our horses and everyone on the trail was respectful to each other. Lose dogs we're extremely well mannered, no issues with dogs or children. Beautiful trails and a great sot to take the horses to explore the natural habitat of Yuma county.

Very nice! Well keeped grounds. If you are going through Yuma, a must stop! You can spend an hour or more, well worth the time.

Very interesting! Well-curated, and quite historical. The outside facilities were largely lost and destroyed after the prison closed in the early 30th century, but preservationists knew its history should be preserved. It’s easily self-guided, and one of the more interesting, if sad parts is the plain, unadorned rock graveyard, adjacent to the prison grounds: make sure to visit that. You can also pose as an inmate, holding signs like the prisoners themselves held!

Well curated with good explanations as to the need for the prison and how it operated over the years. Many interesting stories of prison life and of the lives of various inmates.

A very well maintained sprawling state park with tons of beautiful trails and serene desert campsites and well maintained bathrooms and a gorgeous visitor center! Be aware that most if not all trails from what I can tell do not allow dogs, even on leashes

Really stunning area with lots to explore. We focused on the sculptures during our visit, spent hours but still didn't explore all! Will be back for sure.

This place is one of my favorite places in California because of the amazing hike into the canyon. I love the dinosaurs nearby and the town feels like it was frozen in time. Very much old California and the Wild West. Plus you have the mountains that are snowcapped in the winter about half an hour away and the beach 2 hours away. Beautiful place to explore the desert and see wild sheep (borregos) if you are lucky! 🐏

We had an amazing visit! We went early spring and several things were blooming. The stars were wonderful. The hiking was great. Especially the Palm Canyon trail! The oasis is amazing and some bighorn sheep came close to the trail. The welcome center is nice and the volunteers there are incredibly helpful. One of the naturalists (Ms. Bussey I think, sorry if that's wrong) helped us decided between two trail and her advice was so valuable.

Off roading is a family favorite! We go a few times a year and use the showers and restroom provided by the park and tent or trailer camp. There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of a 2 stroke and the sound of fun!

This is an incredible desert park and is a gift that keeps on giving. Plenty of off roading, primitive camping, a great visitor center and a genuinely welcoming town. The desert is beautiful 365 days a year but always pay attention to the weather and park rangers’ advice!

Huge area to spread out in, great hiking trails for all abilities, a few cool towns to shop and resupply...mostly great campers from all over the country. Camp grounds were loud with the "city folk" on the weekends but boondocking is better as long as we all respect the minimal rules. Thank you CA parks!

We had a wonderful time visiting the animal sanctuary and were happy to contribute by purchasing some donation items for the zoo. It was heartwarming to see the rescued animals being cared for, although it was sad to learn that many had been mistreated in the past. The highlight of our visit was getting tickets to feed the animals, which was an unforgettable experience. Visitors could choose to feed lions, bears, or tigers. My husband chose to feed a lion, which seemed to be the most popular option. Unfortunately, the first couple in line took a long time feeding the lion, so by the time it was our turn, we were only allowed to feed it three times. While we understand the staff needs to regulate feeding portions, it would have been nice if they managed the time more equally for everyone. This sanctuary is best suited for visitors 18 and older, as feeding the animals is an activity reserved for adults. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the venue itself is unique and versatile. It’s a cool place to host events or simply relax while spending time with the animals. We’re looking forward to staying overnight next

We can't say enough good things about the amazing work done at Lions, Tigers & Bears on Alpine, CA, just 40 minutes from downtown San Diego. It's a truly certified & accredited sanctuary - no touching the animals, no photos next to them, they are in huge enclosures with grass and dirt under their paws, and may live out their rescued lives in peace. I have close-ups of the animals, but you don't see the huge areas they live in that mimic their natural habitat as much as possible. The white tiger in with the orange tiger, we saw them when they were almost babies and maybe 20lbs, they are now 150lbs. We always see something different each time we go. Being a member is a great way to go often. San Diego is lucky to have the Zoo & Safari Park out here, but Lions, Tigers & Bears is another not to miss experience if you are nearby. These are wild animals that have been saved from lives of abuse - like two of the lions rescued from that Tiger King scum. Lions, Tigers & Bears help save 70 of all his Tigers and found accredited homes for the other 68 felines. Did you know white tigers are from specific purposeful inbreeding and they have eye and health issues due to it - pretty yes, but WRONG to be bred like that. They also just got a "liger" (pics 13&14) - purposefully bred lion & tiger - WRONG!!! So many health problems. Poor thing. In person, we could see her very faint tiger stripes. She is getting used to seeing people go by and acclimating to the sanctuary. Never stop at an unsanctioned or non-accredited roadside "zoo," nor anything involving wild animal petting, ANY animal circus, animal fights, exotic animal "hunting," or where animals are chained up and/or in small, concrete floor enclosures. Those are not safe for the animals - tell your kids "no" and that you'll take them to a real, safe zoo or sanctuary (and always check their credentials). And if it is a domestic animal farm, still look for cleanliness, do the animals look well feed, humane conditions, no choke-chains, antagonizing, or other harsh behavior. Stop by and see the Lions, Tigers & Bears whenever you can - it should be on everyone's SoCal experience list!

An absolutely beyond-this-world experience! We were deeply moved by Bobbie’s story and truly admire her courage and dedication to rescuing animals and raising awareness about the heartbreaking reality of exotic animal trafficking

The pre tour video is a bit long, and the story is sad as it describes the poor treatment the animals received in the movie and circus industries, as well as by prior individual owners. However the animals are well treated now and the volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable l. They clearly care about the animals. The tour guide on Saturday is a school teacher and did an amazing tour! Everyone in our family enjoyed the visit. A great value.

It was a great experience! You have to buy your ticket in advance, because the experience consists of an organized tour (1.5 hrs), and then you can roam the grounds on your own. Eddie the Jaguar was amazing. The sanctuary was very clean, with well-maintained enclosures and spaces that made both the animals and visitors feel safe and comfortable. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, always ready to answer questions or provide more information about the animals and their stories. You can also feed some of the animals, which is cool. The sanctuary itself was beautiful, set amidst picturesque surroundings that added to the peaceful atmosphere. It was easy to get to as well. Large highways most the way, and NO winding mountain roads, which is nice. I left feeling inspired and grateful for the work the sanctuary is doing. It’s a perfect place for animal lovers and families. However, small children may not like some of the images of abused animals during the 20-minute video at the beginning of the tour. Great experience. Highly recommend!

The park is very clean, and the animals are well taken care of. The website says to wear comfortable shoes as the paths are dirt. A more accurate description is that the pathways are gravel and sand and slippery. Had I known, I would have worn hiking boots. I slipped as I was walking down a hill on the way to my car and sprained my wrist. Badly. Railings or steps should be installed around the property. The terrain is uneven and gravelly. More attention should be paid to the people who visit and not just the animals.

My husband and I visited the sanctuary from the east coast as part of a week long vacation in California. Even though this was only two hours of our trip, it’s all we’re still talking about now that we’re home. We did the Feed With a Keeper tour and had Chris as our volunteer guide. I was impressed with how passionate and knowledgeable she was about the animals. She went out of her way to make sure we had a great experience. We even got to talk to Bobbi briefly and the lead keeper, Cody. Our tour was closer to 3 hours, even though we only paid for 2. She wanted to make sure we had plenty of opportunity to meet and feed all the amazing animals. Being that close to and interacting with the big cats and bears was absolutely awe inspiring and I’ll never forget it. I work in the animal behavior field and spent many years working in an animal shelter and was impressed with the care and enrichment the animals at the sanctuary received. Truly a special place. I wish we lived closer, we would come back again and again!

This is a really cool spot to see the geyser! It is not the cleanest spot in the world, but it was well worth it just looking for some time and seeing the waves turn into the geyser. There were shops and markets everywhere and you could find anything you needed here. I will definitely be coming back to see it. The geyser goes off ever couple of minutes cause of the waves, some will be larger and some smaller, but I definitely got some water on me, haha!

A great place to visit! You’ll find delicious Mexican-style fish tacos — absolutely worth trying. The drinks are excellent too; for example, the Piña Colada is a must. Don’t miss seeing the blowhole, and taking pictures in front of the **Ensenada** with this spot la bufadora sign is an amazing experience!

I am not sure how my experience compares to a cruise shore excursion but in my opinion it is not worth going to. It was about an hour drive outside of Ensenada. When I arrived I had to park at the top of the hill which cost 50 pesos, so relatively affordable. As soon as you start walking down hill, which takes about ten minutes, you are hit with vendors trying to sell you things. There are maybe 50-100 vendors trying to sell you anything from illicit items to trinkets to food. I did end up buying a couple items from a shop that wasn't pushy. When I got to the bottom there was a 360 camera you could rent as well as a drone. I'm not sure how either of those worked as I just went to the regular viewing platform. The reason I was disappointed is because you can see water flying upwards and hear the noise, but you can't actually see any hole. You just see water flying up, which I can do elsewhere on the western coast with a rocky shoreline during king tides. It was cool to visit once, but I spent maybe 5 minutes before leaving. If it wasn't so far from Ensenada it would probably be worth visiting.

Hello everyone, if you guys are ever in the Ensenada area and never been to the "La Bufadora " blow hole you guys need to come see this natural phenomenon. Its pretty cool. I will say that now its been terra formed and its a tourist attraction with lots of vendors selling you everything. If that is not your cup of tea then you might want to avoid it. Since its a tourist attraction of course its very expensive and tourist busses from drop folks off from the ship cruises. I would now that you know this plan accordingly and enjoy. There are restaurants, vendors can almost sell you anything for a price.. Have fun my brothers and sisters.

Its a unique experience to watch the geysers. Its hard to miss them, as they go off every 1-2 minutes, atleast when we went. Its also a cool location for some photos

Ah yes, a *beautiful* place... wrapped in the glittery gift wrap of a tourist trap. It lured us in with stunning views and then immediately hit us with “Buy this! No, *this!* Also, why aren’t you tipping me for breathing near you?” It was like strolling through a scenic maze of aggressive sales pitches. I swear, if one more stall owner shouted “Special price just for you!” I was going to hand them Monopoly money and see if they noticed. Tipping culture here? Wild. It’s like they heard about tips once in a dream but missed the part where it’s optional and for *good service*, not just for existing in the same zip code. Restrooms? Spotless! But entry might cost you up to \$1, so I hope your bladder carries spare change. It’s the first time I’ve peed and felt like I was at a vending machine. As for the prices—rumored to be “cheaper” than back home? Lies. Some things were California-level expensive, and I’m 99% sure they were charging me the “you look like you don’t haggle” rate. All in all, it *was* a beautiful place to see… once. Just once. I’ve had my fill of scenic views, unsolicited trinkets, and \$1 bathroom adventures.

Interesting place with amazing scenery. The vendors are very pushy though. I went on a Monday morning and there were not a lot of other tourists there so all of the vendor's attention seemed to be focused on my friends and I lol.